Josefin Svedberg
Rossland News
For Rosslanders, few things this summer have been as exciting as the opening of the Old Fire Hall.
Last Saturday saw its first event, opening with a saucey burlesque show put on by Sasha Van Bon Bon & Guests, getting the amped up crowd screaming in exhilaration. The following act was a hit with the audience as well; local guests Sarah Taylor and Kristen Renn put on some great dance numbers.
Reopening after being closed for four years was no big deal. “Zac Gribble left the Fire Hall in immaculate shape,” says Fletcher Quince of Rossland Social Club. “He left with dignity.”
Quince ran the Rossland Art Gallery for two years, during which time people approached him with ideas they wanted a space for. He formed the Rossland Social Club in response to the demand.
“(The Old Fire Hall) is the missing venue in the community,” Quince explains. Being both formal and relaxed, it offers everything the gallery could not provide.
Quince shares that before Gribble left town, they played chess together at the Bank of Montreal. He remembers a piece of cheeky advice from Gribble, “Ask people for a dollar per tour and two dollars for every suggestion and you’ll be fine.”
Pinpointing that it’s a community venue, Quince wants people to know they can be a part of its growth.
So far, the Glee Club will be practicing in the space on Mondays. Music lessons will also be held there. The space can even be used by online telecommuters as an open office space.
Quince recommends using the upcoming local funding platform, Basin Crowd source for events and special themes.
“We can have different theme nights, having one chef in for Mexican food one day and another for Indian the next,” Quince explains. “It’s just up to the people who want to see it happen.”
Special events will be held sporadically during the fall, but will start with After Work on Friday’s after 4:00 p.m. so the public can get to know the space. Rossland Social Club plans to fully open around the December 15.
All times will be set with respect towards the community and the residences nearby; the fire hall will close at 9:00 p.m. without any special events and at 11:00 p.m. if there is an event.
If anyone has any ideas or special requests they can email Rossland Social Club at abrasax.institute@gmail.com.